Bathing in crude oil is reputed to soothe the skin and boost energy levels. But, as Luke Jerod Kummer discovers at Naftalan in Azerbaijan, the process of immersion is a far cry from the luxurious spa pampering that most of us enjoy "Why you come sanatoria?" the voice at the end of the phone asks. "Oil," I answer. I'm seated in the doctor's office at the Naftalan Sanatorium, near the battle-scarred territory of Nagorno-Karbakh in Azerbaijan. The health centre is famous for its crude oil baths, which are believed to have medicinal properties and be good for treating skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, easing joint pains; and generally calming the nerves. But as no one here speaks English, I'm none the wiser as to what the basis for these health claims might be. Rather, I'm talking to a stranger down a telephone line as banter ensues between my taxi driver, Emar, the "doctor", receptionist and nurses. People once flocked from all over the USSR to health centres in the small town of Naftalan to spend days soaking in the dark, heavy type of crude that's found in this area but is too expensive to refine. Today, western tourists like me are still an oddity.

Bathing in crude oil is reputed to soothe the skin and boost energy levels. But, as Luke Jerod Kummer discovers at Naftalan in Azerbaijan, the process of immersion is a far cry from the luxurious spa pampering that most of us enjoy "Why you come sanatoria?" the voice at the end of the phone asks. "Oil," I answer. I'm seated in the doctor's office at the Naftalan Sanatorium, near the battle-scarred territory of Nagorno-Karbakh in Azerbaijan. The health centre is famous for its crude oil baths, which are believed to have medicinal properties and be good for treating skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, easing joint pains; and generally calming the nerves. But as no one here speaks English, I'm none the wiser as to what the basis for these health claims might be. Rather, I'm talking to a stranger down a telephone line as banter ensues between my taxi driver, Emar, the "doctor", receptionist and nurses. People once flocked from all over the USSR to health centres in the small town of Naftalan to spend days soaking in the dark, heavy type of crude that's found in this area but is too expensive to refine. Today, western tourists like me are still an oddity.

Really hoping TAR goes to Bangalore in India. It is a BEAUTIFUL city, and one of the major cities in India (that hasn't been visited, also).

Since we knew they were in Kerala, it is possible. They could've gone to Bangalore, then to rural Kerala, a trend TAR likes to do (Major city in India -> rural India).

Were they in Trivandrum, Kerala?

Amazing Race, that is quite possible. The other major city in Kerala is Kochi (formerly Cochin).

Paldog, Bangalore is one of the few major Indian cities I have not visited, but it is a long way from Kerala. It's possible Bangalore will be included in one of 2 legs in India, but I would not plan on it. There are 330 miles between Bangalore and Kochi.

Really hoping TAR goes to Bangalore in India. It is a BEAUTIFUL city, and one of the major cities in India (that hasn't been visited, also).

Since we knew they were in Kerala, it is possible. They could've gone to Bangalore, then to rural Kerala, a trend TAR likes to do (Major city in India -> rural India).

Were they in Trivandrum, Kerala?

Amazing Race, that is quite possible. The other major city in Kerala is Kochi (formerly Cochin).

Paldog, Bangalore is one of the few major Indian cities I have not visited, but it is a long way from Kerala. It's possible Bangalore will be included in one of 2 legs in India, but I would not plan on it. There are 330 miles between Bangalore and Kochi.

Since they visited Kochi in Season 3, I think they might visit the capital city, Trivandrum!

I was just in Trivandrum from March 20th to 29th. I have some relatives there who maybe could come up with something when the preview or something pops up.

Really hoping TAR goes to Bangalore in India. It is a BEAUTIFUL city, and one of the major cities in India (that hasn't been visited, also).

Since we knew they were in Kerala, it is possible. They could've gone to Bangalore, then to rural Kerala, a trend TAR likes to do (Major city in India -> rural India).

Were they in Trivandrum, Kerala?

Amazing Race, that is quite possible. The other major city in Kerala is Kochi (formerly Cochin).

Paldog, Bangalore is one of the few major Indian cities I have not visited, but it is a long way from Kerala. It's possible Bangalore will be included in one of 2 legs in India, but I would not plan on it. There are 330 miles between Bangalore and Kochi.

Since they visited Kochi in Season 3, I think they might visit the capital city, Trivandrum!

I was just in Trivandrum from March 20th to 29th. I have some relatives there who maybe could come up with something when the preview or something pops up.

Which works out perfectly as there are connections from Nairobi through Doha into Trivandrum. Remember the Doha sightings?